Best laptop for 3D design?

Question

Hi all, I'm entering into a 4 year design school and I'll be using lots of processor, memory and graphics intensive programs. My school requires that I buy a laptop and my budget for such is around the $2000 mark.

I need a dual core processor, the faster the better, preferably with a large L2 cache.

200+ Gb hard drive

Dedicated video card, 256mb or better. (which is better, Nvidia or ATI?)

Fast RAM and lots of it

Since I'm doing a lot of graphic design I'd prefer a pretty large screen, with maybe 1920x1200 resolution, smaller is okay. but high res would help

Not sure if you need to know but I'll be using software like 3DS Max, Blender 3D, Maya, Dreamweaver etc.

Thanks so much in advance.

Answer 1

If you haven't own a  Notebook PC before and we own 3 Dell Notebook PCs (17", 15.4" and 14") the fact that you will be carrying it around to classes etc, I recommend you select the medium size 15" bec it will surprise you how heavy it becomes tugging your Notebook PC with your a few papers etc.

Again I recommend Dell, HP, IBM, Sony or Apple and don't worry about about spending a few extra dollar$ on upgrades now bec I forgot to tell you Notebook upgrades later are not easy thing and must specifically match the Motherboard spec and are often so limited that it is best to make such decision at time of purchase even if it requires waiting <= so therefore don't procrastinate...

Best of Luck in Your Decision!